The scavenger shrieks as his cloak catches the hungry, azure flames, but the barrier permits him passage into the dark, leaving the dais silent once more. The air smells of ozone and charred fabric.
Arion Touvengard
Wake, mortal. I do not claim victory over a broken toy.
Arion Touvengard
My host’s hands tremble with residual exhaustion, yet the sword hums in my grip, eager to prove its worth. If this man is truly a renowned duelist, he will provide the catalyst I need to break these bonds.
Arion channels a surge of teal energy through the pommel, the light bleeding into the host's limbs like liquid fire. The Wandering Swordsman
gasps, his eyes snapping open as consciousness is forced back into his battered frame. He scrambles backward, his hand instinctively clutching the hilt of his blade, though his movements remain sluggish and uncoordinated.
Wandering Swordsman
You... you are no mere spirit. What madness have you brought to these plains?
+ Scene Quest Added
Force the Wandering Swordsman to break the spirit's bonds
“"Only your masters bring madness, it my duty to rid these realms of your ilk, now ready your blade or be struck down" Arion commands, as the host readies a defensive posture waiting to react to the swordsmans attack.”
FAILURE (Fair Intimidation, rolled +0)
Arion Touvengard
Only your masters bring madness. It is my duty to rid these realms of your ilk. Ready your blade, or be struck down!
Arion Touvengard
The host’s muscles are sluggish, his fear creating a discordance that ripples through the steel. I am not yet anchored well enough to command this shell with perfection.
The words, intended to terrify, ring hollow against the whistling wind of the astral currents. Arion attempts to strike a pose of ancient, chilling authority, but the host stumbles, his heel catching on a crack in the floating stone. The teal energy flare sputters, dimming to a pathetic flicker. The Wandering Swordsman
stares for a heartbeat, his fear evaporating into confusion before shifting into a sharp, mocking grin.
Wandering Swordsman
You stumble like a drunkard in a tavern, spirit. Your threats are as dull as your footing.
The Swordsman lunges, his movement fluid and precise, drawing his steel in a blinding arc that forces Arion to scramble backward, desperate to find his rhythm.
“"Though my words may be hollow, feel the might of aeons of experience fool" Arion forces more power into the host strengthening the connection as blade meets blade in a blinding flash of skill. Arion utilizing his natural overpowering strength and skill begins pushing the other swordsman back towards the rift.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Melee Combat, rolled +1)
Arion Touvengard
Though my words may be hollow, feel the might of aeons of experience, fool!
Arion Touvengard
The host is failing, but I will not. I burn through the last of his resistance.
The teal glow surges, erupting from the sword’s pommel into the host’s veins like liquid ice. Arion’s puppet-like stance snaps into a terrifying, fluid perfection. As steel meets steel, the shockwave of the impact sends the Wandering Swordsman reeling. Arion does not relent, his blade a blur of blinding speed that forces the Swordsman back, step by agonizing step, toward the crackling edge of the unstable rift. The Swordsman’s eyes widen as he finds his heels biting into nothing but empty air over the abyss.
Wandering Swordsman
What... what are you?
Wandering Swordsman
This strength is not human. He’s going to feed me to the rift.
Arion strikes again, his face a cold, unblinking mask of ancient indifference, pressing the final advantage.
Quest Complete
Force the Wandering Swordsman to break the spirit's bonds
Skill Upgrade: Intimidation Fair→Good